Travel Insurance for Canadians

[louallard]

Hello
I am hoping someone can help me out
I want to take my niece (adult) on a cruise
She lives in Canada and has seizures.
Does anyone know of a travel insurance company that would cover her
with this pre existing condition
It would be for a 7 day cruise
Any infor or leads would be very much appreciated.
Thanks so much!

[Red-Bird]

Originally Posted by louallard

Hello
I am hoping someone can help me out
I want to take my niece (adult) on a cruise
She lives in Canada and has seizures.
Does anyone know of a travel insurance company that would cover her
with this pre existing condition

I have COPD and require O2 for walking and exertion. I have yet to find any Canadian medical travel insurance companies that will cover or waive 'pre-existing' conditions. For a cruise to Alaska this past September I could not buy insurance at any price. In other words I was not insurable.


Since we live on the West Coast I did go on the cruise but I would not take the chance of traveling uninsured again. My desire to see Alaska once more was stronger than my common sense I guess. We had a wonderful cruise but sadly due to the insurance issue I am not going to be able to accompany my DW and DD on the repo cruise of the Coral Princess through the Panama next September. My DW and I did the reverse itinerary on the Coral about 5 years ago.


I am sorry I could not help but I am still hoping that I can find some insurance that will allow me to enjoy more cruises.

[franu]

Any Canadian insurance policy will require that pre-existing conditions be under control for a minimum of 6 months with the occasional policy requiring 90 days. This means that there are no changes in medications during that period too.

There are other issues, too many to know except for a good travel insurance agent. My agent goes through everything that has happened since my last trip and finds the correct coverage for me.
Fran

[Red-Bird]

Originally Posted by franu

Any Canadian insurance policy will require that pre-existing conditions be under control for a minimum of 6 months with the occasional policy requiring 90 days. This means that there are no changes in medications during that period too.

This part of the policy requirements are easy to meet but as soon as I mention oxygen, all I hear is sorry we can't insure you.

If the OP's niece has her seizures controlled by medication she should meet the insurer's requirements and I agree that you should use an insurance agent well versed in travel insurance policies.

[BoPippy]

I believe Canadian medicare would cover about 80% of the cost out of country with no additional insurance,but that is not enough for something serious.

[pkrchkr]

Dm had a heart attach( she survived by the grace of fod) she got insurance and her heart attach was one month ago.I was diagnosed with hereditary hemochromatosis 2 weeks ago and got insurance..We got Blue Cross.

[OracleBones]

In Canada, the debate over universal health care has been long settled and is an integral part of our social contract. It is therefore true that Canadian provincial health insurance will cover out-of-country medical costs up to their fee schedule, leaving you responsible for charges beyond that. On a cruise ship and in the US these can be considerable, which makes the idea of additional insurance very compelling.

However, the health care debate in the US election and stories of those denied coverage and/or benefit payment for pre-existing conditions as illustrated in the debates and Michael Moore's film "Sicko", or CBC TV’s Marketplace, has raised in my mind the question: "Is there any real value or merit in purchasing travel insurance (cancellation and out-of-country health) if you are disabled or have any pre-existing condition?" Even CNN's exposure of how insurance companies dealt with the victims of Hurricane Katrina, leave me thinking I've been throwing my money away. No matter what may happen to cause a cruise cancellation or a medical emergency I fear the insurance company would find some reason to deny coverage if you have any pre-existing condition even if it’s unrelated to the claim. Often the premiums amount to 8-10% of our cruise fare costs. This is a lot of money for perhaps very questionable coverage. We've always purchased travel insurance. It was one of those "sleep better" decisions. Unlike life insurance, where you are pre-approved, you only find out your coverage after you make a claim. Now, I don't think I'll sleep well with my travel coverage.

[franu]

"Is there any real value or merit in purchasing travel insurance (cancellation and out-of-country health) if you are disabled or have any pre-existing condition?" Even CNN's exposure of how insurance companies dealt with the victims of Hurricane Katrina, leave me thinking I've been throwing my money away. No matter what may happen to cause a cruise cancellation or a medical emergency I fear the insurance company would find some reason to deny coverage if you have any pre-existing condition even if it’s unrelated to the claim.

Yes the insurance industry will go to almost any extreme to negate any claim, however they can only deal with the issue of pre-exisiting condition as it pertains to your case. They cannot negate other areas in which you were stable. They are very thorough and will attempt to link your present condition with your pre-existing condition.

I would not let this affect my purchase of insurance. If it is not covered they will return your premium for that area of coverage.

I just will not go without insurance
Fran

[happytotravel]

["Is there any real value or merit in purchasing travel insurance (cancellation and out-of-country health) if you are disabled or have any pre-existing condition?" ......leave me thinking I've been throwing my money away. No matter what may happen to cause a cruise cancellation or a medical emergency I fear the insurance company would find some reason to deny coverage if you have any pre-existing condition even if it’s unrelated to the claim. Often the premiums amount to 8-10% of our cruise fare costs. This is a lot of money for perhaps very questionable coverage.

Hi,
I just wanted to make a comment that we have been the benficiaries of travel insurance twice on two different cruises. Once we had to leave the ship in Halifax half way through a cruise due to a problem my husband was having. He was hospitalized for a week, my hotel accommadations and meals were covered, we were flown home to Montreal first class and our car was driven back to Montreal from Boston.

The second time was just recently while on a cruise my husband had to visit the medical department after hours for shortness of breath and pain in his back. The bill was $120.00 for the visit and $60.00 for the EKG. I submitted the bill to the travel insurance company upon our return and have just received the reimbursed today.

One never knows what can happen while traveling. You can become ill, nothing to do with your disability or pre-existing condition, and it could cost you lots and lots of money. Or your spouse or traveling companion can become ill and you need to leave the ship with them. It's well worth the extra money JUST IN CASE.

Just wanted to give a little bit of credit to travel insurance companies as often they get a bum rap.

Take care,
happytotravel

[Putterdude]

You may care to try these these people for insurance. It is my understanding that they do special underwriting for people with pre-exisitng conditions. To be sure if it is available, it will be expensive, however we live in AZ for 5 1/2 months each year and last year I racked up a $30k bill with a 2 1/2 day stay in hospital here....I had insurance and I wouldn't leave home without it.

www.travelinsurance.ca/

[Jewels57]

Hi, you need to get insurance which is specifically for pre-existing conditions. I got it. It is more expensive. It is available. I got it through a credit union. Cheaper.

Jewels 57

[Charleyann]

I am purchasing for my son and I from BMO. They will take on pre-existing illnesses if the person is stablized for either 3 or 6 month. For the two of us, total cost is $258 for 33 days! Not bad? This includes trip interrruption, trip cancellation, baggage loss and medical up to 2 million.

I can also get it from CAA. They will only give me medical. It is a little more money but medical is covered up to 5 million.

My son has cystic fibrosis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. I won't leave home without it!!!!

Charleyann